cleanbikes

Research? 1. Have you talked to the sport's governing body? (BikeTrial UK) 2. Have you talked to anyone experienced in running trials events? (TykeTrial, NBTC etc) 3. Have you ever actually attended a trial competition? 3. Have you been to the Bike Show, NASS, Red Bull Bike Battle? 4. Do you have anyone experienced on your team of "builders"? 5. Where/How is the best place to advertise a trial? (Probably not MBUK) 6. Word posts on here very carefully and put a lot of thought into the topic beforehand to gain the respect of riders and interest in the event. The British round of the World BikeTrial Championship last year pulled in 150+ riders, with 300+ followers (minders/parents/friends) and an estimated 1000+ spectators. But, it took about 100 people to organise and run the event, and a year to plan it (helper list here) (pictures here) Club trials (natural riding) in Essex bring in around 35-40 entries, in Hampshire around 35-40 entries, in Yorkshire 95 entries. It takes a team of about 4 a full day to set up a competition for a natural trial, where the obstacles are already there - it will probably take up to a week to set up man-made sections. It took 4 experienced people 4 days to set up 3 man-made sections and 4 natural sections at Fort William last September. Sections consisted of logs, pallets, a telephone box etc. Not trying to put you off - just trying to help you realise what work is needed to make it a success. Good luck!

I THINK the farmer said that there was a motorbike trial on this coming Sunday. Worth checking before you travel a long way. Barbara

CLOSING DATE TWO WEEKS TODAY --- GET THE ENTRIES IN NOW!!!!!!!!!

:$ Corrected :$ (Not bad if it's the only mistake out of 95!!!)

Also ... as times getting short for processing ACU licences - ALWAYS put your email address on the ACU application. They will email you to say they're processing your application and your ACU number is ....... Print that email out just in case your card doesn't arrive in time for the first round of the British - I will accept that email presented at signing on if your proper card hasn't arrived. Barbara

A guy turned up at today's trial with his 5½ year old - great! But the thing was, this guy used to enter the Tykes competitions himself right back when it first started in 1997, but gave up when his baby was born. Now that 'baby' is old enough to ride himself! How many of you will bring your kids along to comps in the future ... and does this mean that trials is going to have a boom in about 5-10 years?!!!

Good day everyone! I'm tired and cold --- I'll do the results tomorrow so they'll be up there tomorrow night. Barbara

Plus over 50 pre-entered! 10 good sections set out and waiting for you all!

Keeps trying to snow, but lovely sunshine at the moment!

122mm

No problem with that - it's a club championship round but we don't worry about what your bike's like at club events as long as it's either a 20" or 26". (24" can ride too, but "out of class".)

Sorry Ali C - my fault - I'd set up the email forwarding incorrectly. Should be ok now. Barbara

Be patient ... we're trying to come up with something special for Fort William !!!

From the BTUK website ... "PLEASE NOTE THIS CHANGE - Our apologies to anyone who has already made arrangements to attend the planned round at Fort William - this has had to be changed because of a clash with the European BikeTrial Championship (see World News for more information). An event will take place at Fort William on the original date - but will not be part of the British Championship."

Entry and membership form All info is on here - directions, fees etc. - Club Annual Membership is £10 OR Day Membership £3 - Trial entry fee £10 if you enter in advance or £12 if you enter on the day. ACU is not needed for club events (only for Brit Champ events)

Sorry but not a chance ... we sold the last of the "salmon walls" about three years ago! Monty aren't even doing the one's with white or yellow lines now, they're all the new ones.

Joe, I have loads - any in particular? I'll load to a hidden cleanbikes page in a few days then email you with links. Barbara

At cleanbikes we like to pick a rider - usually a blue route comp rider - and give them a hand. Yes, they get cheaper bikes/parts out of it, but we only ever choose people who already ride the makes we sell - we don't believe in persuading people to change their bikes just so they can get a "cheap deal". It's got to be right for them. But they also get promotion of themselves and encouragement ... who had ever heard of James Hyland, CLS, Ben Slinger, Ali C before cleanbikes sponsored them back in 2002? Very few I guess. I think I'm right in saying that they were all blue route comp riders. (I must admit to feeling proud of them all riding at the Bike Show in 2005 - even though we no longer sponsor them, also very proud of Chris Walker becoming listed as a Monty International rider.) Cleanbikes are pretty much comp orientated - I've been helping organise trials comps since January 1998, so in a way you could say it's my hobby - and it makes me feel good to be able to watch and encourage a rider improve in his/her results (and I'm pretty good at that, as spunkey_monkey could tell you from Sunday!). Believe me when I say sponsoring someone in the way we do does not make money. I'm self-employed in secretarial & book-keeping - but if I were to charge on all of the time I put into organising trials, giving lifts to comps, talking to the lads/lassies - trials could not afford me! For example, Sunday's trial alone took me an estimated 28½ hours and 120 miles - and I do that voluntarily at least once every four weeks! Someone asked me on Friday when we were soaked through and freezing whilst setting up "why do you do it?". The answer ... we enjoy helping people to achieve.

Results here - well done everyone.

Results here - well done everyone.

Hey it's a "Fun Trial" ... do you really think we'd put crazy sections in??? (With the exception of the lake ... blame robster's dad for that - Wayne and I take no responsibility!) Nah - you should be fine - they're normalish!

Just got back from setting up the sections ... first time I've seen this venue .... good one! Ten sections for you to try out. Could all those planning on riding the Elite route please make sure you bring your diving gear for section 9 (!!!!!!!!!!) Barbara

I have a pink/grey Monty lycra all in one suit - FREE for the first person who promises to wear it on Sunday!!! Barbara

Just got back from a meeting ... At last we have entry/membership forms. If you can print it out and send it off in the post it would be REALLY helpful - saves a lot of work for me on the day and I can write out punchcards etc in advance to save you all queuing. Entry/membership form Sue will be mailing to all of last year's members this week, but you're unlikely to get it in the post until Thursday. Directions are on the entry form (providing Wayne's described it properly!!!). Sorry for the delay! Cheers all - see you Sunday. Barbara

The TykeTrial committee's having a meeting next week to sort out dates etc for next year. Forms etc should be in the post sometime after that.